‘Don’t Ruin Our Village’: Ħal Safi Residents Object To Demolition Of Old House Set To Be Replaced By 5-Storey Block
Residents of Ħal Safi have wholeheartedly objected to the demolition of an old house within the village core, set to be replaced by a five-storey block of apartments.
“Please don’t ruin our tiny villages! This development will kill the beauty of the old houses of character and townhouses in the narrow streets,” one resident said.
The development includes the demolition and “excavation of the site, construction of two basement-level garages, four apartments and one class 4A shop at the ground floor level, ten apartments on 1st and 2nd-floor levels, and four apartments at the third-floor level and five penthouses on the receded level”.
The old house is also adjacent and opposite to three similar houses, which are within the urban conservation area (UCA).
“This proposed five-storey development for 33 apartments and shop in St Paul’s Street, Ħal-Safi next to UCA one/two storey old character houses is disrespectful of the peaceful ambience and harmony of our village core and will have a major negative impact on all its residents,” one resident stressed.
The application was filed by Mark Schembri on behalf of South Delux Developments Ltd, with architect Matthew Briffa working on the application.
Ħal Safi’s local council also formally objected to the development, stressing that the application should be rejected given the surroundings.
“The site is next to a UCA and should therefore be developed with respect to the UCA and must be complementary to the UCA building architecture,” it said.
“Secondly, the proposed development is too excessive and does not complement the current Maltese architecture and the proportions of the adjacent and surrounding houses that are within the UCA.”
Site to be demolished, next to UCA houses
“Apart from the unsightly facade of the proposed building, the main sources of ground vibrations due to excavations that goes beyond the existing foundations and the operation of heavy construction equipment, studies suggest that these vibrations will cause structural damage to nearby old buildings and water reservoirs,” another warned.
“The proposed five-storey building is contrary to the provisions of the local plan for the area, which establish a much lower height limitation,” another representation reads.
“The scale of the proposed building completely violates the context in which it is placed, and destroys the sense of place. The design of the building and its facade does not harmonize with the adjacent and opposite buildings, and indeed the character of the whole street.”
“Thus it will destroy this old part of the village to the detriment of our old property and existing residents, as well as to our heritage and the rural nature of Safi. Modern and high architecture undermines the beauty and character of old buildings in the area, and this is a social cost for everyone,” it said.
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